In response to the demand of several U.S. politicians, most of which are Republican, to ban Syrian refugees from entering the country, U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a strong rebuttal on Wednesday, deeming the request offensive and insisting that such thinking "needs to stop," reports Global News.
Speaking in the Philippines at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila, Obama made a veiled reference to GOP candidate New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, one of the politicians who was against the resettlement of refugees in the United States.
"When candidates say we shouldn't admit 3-year old-orphans, that's political posturing. When people say we should have a religious test, and only Christians, proven Christians, should be admitted, that's offensive, and contrary to American values," Obama said, according to NBC News.
"These are the same folks often times that say they're so tough that just talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin or staring down ISIL or using some additional rhetoric will solve the problem, and they're scared of widows and 3-year-old orphans," he added.
Despite the numerous requests to close the country to Syrian refugees, some believe it is quite unlikely that the federal government would go along with local whim.
Obama further emphasized that refugees coming to the United States are required to pass through a rigorous screening process 18 to 24 months prior to entering the country.
"We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic. We don't make good decisions if they're based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks," the president said.
Watch Obama's speech here:
For more news about the proposed ban on Syrian refugees, click here.
